To The Summer Set, From Your #1 Fan

November 9, 2017

by Natalie Dest

The Summer Set,

When I first heard the news that you would be taking an “indefinite hiatus,” I was simply at a loss for words. I was disappointed there would be no more albums from my favorite band. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that my favorite pop-rock band had decided to end their musical journey together. I knew this could happen, but was in disbelief when it actually did.

I remember having feelings of anger, heartache, confusion and even hatred cloud my mind; all the while I was ignoring the most important feeling of them all. Gratefulness.

How do I even begin to thank the five of you who have changed my life for the better? How do I thank each one of you for helping me get through my toughest of times with your music? There are simply not enough words to say thank you to someone for something like that.

I’m especially grateful for your music at one of the most difficult times in my life; high school. When it was so hard to persevere, I found comfort and hope in your music when I couldn’t find it anywhere else. If it wasn’t for your albums, I don’t know how I would have made it through those times.

I’ll never forget the night my sister showed me a song from your first album, “Love Like This.” I still remember writing the lyrics to “Chelsea” in a note as a reminder to find out more about the band that sang it. One Google search later and I found what was going to be my favorite band for years to come.

Songs like “Happy For You,” “Figure Me Out,” and “Legendary,” are songs that will always have a special place in my heart. They bring back so many memories. All four albums were able to make me view life through a different lens of perspectives and experiences, and for that, I’ll always be thankful.

I remember walking out of your concert almost two years ago saying “that was by far the best night of my life.” I’ll never forget the genuine happiness I felt while watching you perform those those songs. I’ll never be able to recreate that feeling at a concert than the feelings I had felt that night.

I guess what I’m trying to say, is thank you, Brian, Stephen, John, Jess, and Josh for always being there for me when other people weren’t. Thank you The Summer Set for helping me grow into the person I’ve become. You were with me during many transitions in life.

Instead of mourning the loss of a great band, I am going to appreciate the music now more than ever. In many ways, this letter is my form of closure, but I will continue to listen to your music with the same love and passion as I have done for years.

As The Summer Set would say, “When there is music in the night and we can dance the sun out of the sky, these are the nights when everything feels possible.”